Page 109 of Mountain Boss

Rocky leans an elbow on the bar. “Now, when you say spying…”

“It’s not as bad as it sounds,” I answer.

“Nah, it’s exactly like it sounds.” Cook snorts. “But considering the way she looks at him, I don’t think she’d mind. And from the way he’s always fucking watching her, I don’t think she’d be surprised.”

“Huh.” Rocky narrows his eyes on me. “You spy on her before or after you started sleeping with her?”

I point at Cook. “I don’tspyon her. And we aren’t sleeping together. It was just…”Fingering. Grinding. Dry humping.

I down the rest of my beer.

“If you want my advice.” Rocky shrugs the arm not braced against the bar. “I say sleep with her.”

I set my empty glass down and give him aReally?look. “Good advice.”

It’s not. But I am going to sleep with her, so technically, I’ll be taking it.

“She’s a sweet girl.” Cook mirrors Rocky’s position. “But she’s had it rough.”

I narrow my eyes on him. “What do you know?”

He shakes his head. “Nothing specific. But even if she didn’t show up with all her belongings like some of the guys do, you can just see it. It’s in her eyes.”

I swallow.

I’ve seen it too.

Along with the tears I’ve witnessed and caused.

My stomach churns.

“So you think he shouldn’t sleep with her?” Rocky asks.

Cook shakes his head again, slower this time. “No, I think he should. I think he could be good for her. But.” He gives me a pointed look. “Sterling needs to get out of his own way and let her in. Because she could be good for him too.”

Rocky makes a sound of understanding. “So it’s like that?”

Cook nods. “It’s like that.”

I look back and forth between them. “When did this happen? Why are you two so chummy?”

They ignore me.

“So does this mystery girl have anything to do with the truckload of new mattresses your boss called me about?” Rocky asks Cook.

“That’s another good question.” Cook turns his attention back to me. “Care to explain why you ordered the whole Lodge new mattresses a handful of days after Court arrived?”

Because I felt like shit for making her sleep on a motherfucking board for three nights.

“No,” I answer instead because there’s no way I’m admitting that mistake to anyone. Ever.

“Interesting…” Rocky reaches up and strokes his beard.

“There’s a lot of opinions over here for two old single guys.” I gripe.

“Old?” Rocky straightens, pulling back his shoulders.

“Yeah, old,” I deadpan. “You could be her father.”

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